IF ABERAVON are to retain their Welsh First Division title, they will do so without the help of Gwent clubs.

Last season they lost just three league games while this season they have lost two already, both in the county.

Last night it was Newbridge's turn to emulate Pontypool with a thoroughly deserved victory at the Welfare Ground.

Cross Keys will bid to complete the hat-trick on Saturday, but at the Talbot Athletic Ground it may be a different kettle of fish.

Newbridge thoroughly deserved their win in wet and slippery conditions, sticking to a simple game plan of kicking for field position and strangling the opposition through a superb back row.

Aberavon also lacked adventure and given the conditions, perhaps both sides were right to forsake handling.

But after 50 minutes the ball had been booted out of hand in open play 46 times and I gave up counting after that.

The penalty count was high, too, so that the game never flowed, but Newbridge completely controlled matters after a poor first half when they trailed 10-6.

In this period their lineout was a shambles so that they were kept on the back foot with limited possession, conceding the only try when Aberavon outside half Jamie Davies spun out of tackles to score.

But already their back row of Martin Ackerman (ex-Blackwood), Geraint Gladwyn (ex-Abertillery) and John Bowd were exerting their influence.

Ackerman was constantly first to the breakdown, Gladwyn was a superb workhorse and Bowd an outstanding ball carrier.

They carried the fight to Aberavon, and with the Newbridge front row solid and line-out ball more secure, there was only one side in it after the interval.

Within four minutes Gladwyn had charged from a scrum and, when halted, second row Craig Blunsdon, also formerly of relegated Abertillery, barged over.

Outside half Jason Williams converted brilliantly and two minutes later added a penalty to complete the points scoring and a personal total of eleven points.

He missed three kickable penalties to make the game safe, but Aberavon outside half Jamie Davies missed two also.

It was only when an injury to centre Shane Webley forced Bowd to switch to the centre and another forced Gladwyn off, to be replaced by Gareth Howells, that Aberavon sniffed a chance.

But when centre Paul Morgan knocked on on their one concerted raid into the home 22, Newbridge regained the initiative.

In addition to those mentioned, full back Jonathan Williams was as safe as houses in a Newbridge side who should more than hold their own this season.